Dalriada Medallion side advance after good victory

The game started well and Dalriada immediately took up field position within the Downshire 22. Dalriada were awarded a penalty, and Timothy Creaney tapped quickly to allow Ryan Malcomson sight of the line. His try was unconverted and Dalriada were 5 -0 up with 6 minutes played. On 22 minutes Dalriada back line had a good passing move, releasing Philip Linton on the right wing.

His run was bundled into touch 5 metres out but from the lineout Downshire failed to tidy the ball and quick reactions from Philip Taylor secured another try.10-0 to Dalriada and minutes later, after great work by the pack to break up the defence, the backline passing released the opposite wing, Josh Hetherington, with a run in to the corner . The try was converted by Jamie Gardiner leaving the score at half time 17-0 to Dalriada.

Downshire started the second half strongly and looked to keep the ball secure in the forwards. Their larger pack was certainly capable of causing damage and, early from a scrum on the Dalriada 5 metre line, the Downshire pack recycled the ball to maul over in the left corner.

The unconverted try making the score 5-17. Encouragingly for Dalriada, the heads were still up and with good positional kicking and an outstanding run from half way by Peter Johnston, the game moved to the Downshire 22. From a scrum mid field , the backline split and Jamie Gardiner delayed his pass until right up to the tackle line. A floated pass into space saw Stuart Fallows burst through between the two defenders to touch down left of the posts. The converted try brought the score to 24-5 and a comfort zone of sorts. On 18 minutes a strong run by Henry Loan on the left was halted just short of the line. Intelligent play saw him keep the ball alive with an immediate pass out of the tackle, and Stuart Fallows was on hand to score his second try.

However, even with the score at 29-5, Downshire never gave up and scored from a close range ruck, following the deep restart kick. Injuries to David Holmes and Adam Hodges saw them replaced by Mark Matthews and David Mckeeman. Both had made significant impact in the match but their replacements did not weaken the side. Strong defence in the last 5 minutes kept Downshire from scoring, especially by Stuart Fallows, who held up a Downshire player over the goal line, turned over possession and drove the play back out off the danger zone. The final score Downshire 10 Dalriada 29 was a fair reflection of the game and the boys now progress to the quarter finals of this competition.

Dalriada Medallion Team V Downshire School. Medallion Trophy

1. Ryan Malcomson 9.Timothy Creaney Subs 16.Josh McCormack

2. Adam Pollock 10.Jamie Gardiner 17.Mark Matthews3. Andrew McWilliams 11.Josh Hetherington 18.Scott McCollum

4.Peter Johnston(cap)12.Stuart Fallows 19.Andrew Kinnaird

5.Henry Loan 13.Jonny Allan 20.Allen Carruthers

6.Adam Hodges 14.Philip Linton 21.Andrew Wells

7.Philip Taylor 15.Timothy Emerson 22.David Mckeeman

8.David Holmes(vice)